This is what the American Kennel Club has to say about the German Shepherd Breed ...

 

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Generally considered dogkind's finest all-purpose worker, the German Shepherd Dog is a large, agile, muscular dog of noble character and high intelligence. Loyal, confident, courageous, and steady, the German Shepherd is truly a dog lover's delight. 

 

German Shepherd Dogs can stand as high as 26 inches at the shoulder and, when viewed in outline, presents a picture of smooth, graceful curves rather than angles. The natural gait is a free-and-easy trot, but they can turn it up a notch or two and reach great speeds. There are many reasons why German Shepherds stand in the front rank of canine royalty, but experts say their defining attribute is character: loyalty, courage, confidence, the ability to learn commands for many tasks, and the willingness to put their life on the line in defense of loved ones. 

 

German Shepherds will be gentle family pets and steadfast guardians, but, the breed standard says, there's a 'certain aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships.'

 

They also say the height of a German Shepherd dog should be between 24 and 26 inches at the shoulders for males, with the weight range being between 65 to 90 pounds; and females measuring between 22 and 24 inches at the shoulder, with a weight range between 50 and 70 pounds.

 

First recognized as a breed by the AKC in 1908, and perennially one of the most popular dog breeds. 

 

Expected average life span is 7 – 10 years.